Pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus



Sept. 4,-1934- J. T. NEEDHAM PNEUMATIC DISPATCH TUBE APPARATUS OriginalFiled March 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTR UOHN T. NEEDHAM MW WATTORNEYS Sept. 4, 1934- J. T. NEEDHAM PNEUMATIC DISPATCH TUBE APPARATUSm A TH E 2 ND W H EE R a vm o m N n T M A s 8 N m w, Y dB 2 0 9 1 *2 Rm6 2 h. m M d e 1 i F l m 0 1 m 6 5 e r o no x img n n 9d 8 .w u HPatented Sept. 4, 1934 c i 7 STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 John T. Needham,North Plainfield, N. 1., 33-

signer, by mesne assignments, to Pneumatic v Tube Supply Co. of DelawareApplication March 25, 1930, 'Serial No. 438,809

Renewed March 8, 1932 20 claims. ((11. 24s 19) This invention relates toan improved terminal device for a pneumatic dispatch tube system.Important objects of the invention are, to provide an improvedterminalhead embodying a dispatch tube terminal for dischargingcarriers, a dispatch tube terminal for sending carriers and a moresimple and directair connection between said terminals for conductin airfrom the discharge terminal to the sending terminal for the propulsionof a carrier inserted into the latter; to effect said air connectionbetween the terminals through a chamber which also serves as a temporaryreceptacle for carriers delivered through the discharge terminal; toprovide an improved,

compact terminal head designed for convenient mounting and operationthereof and embodying a discharge terminal, a sending terminal and anadditional terminal for conveniently relaying" carriers to anotherstation, and. to provide other 2 improved features of design which willappear hereinafter.

In the drawings: r a Fig. 1 is a vertical fore-and-aft sectional View ofthe terminal head, taken on the line'1-1 of Fig. 4.;

Fig. 2 a similar section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig.

Fig. 3 a

Fig. 1; 4

Fig. 4 a,- horizontal section taken on the line -i-4' of Fig; l;

Fig. 5 a front view of the terminal head;

Fig. 6 a detail vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 a detail vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5; Fig.8 a detail section taken on the line 8- 8 of 7; and

Fig. 9 a diagrammatic View showing the termi-- nal head connected into adispatch tube system;

The terminal head. forms a unit and its struc' ture includes a casinglwhich forms a temporary receptacle for carriers as they delivered fromi a dispatch tube. The casing is a metal casting, substantiallyrectangular in plan, elongated fore and aft, and having a" fiat bottomwall 2, flat side walls 3 and an arched wall forming the top and ends ofthe casing, and serving as a deflector for carriers discharged into thecasing from the dispatch tube. 'Within the casing, near one of the rearcorners thereof, the bottom 2 is integrally formed with a nozzle 5extending upwardly a 'ei'ial distance and open and flared at its upperend, This nozzle forms a discharge terminal for a dispatch tube 6connected to it. In:

detail section taken on the line 33 of" one of thefront corners of thecasing, diagonally opposite the terminal 5, the bottom 2 of the casingis integrally formed with a vertical open nozzle '7 of material height.Nozzle 7 serves as a sending terminal into which carriers are insertedfor transmission through a dispatch tube 8 connected to the nozzle.Above the nozzle 7 thewall 4 is formed with a doorway 9 of material sizedirected forwardly and upwardly. This doorway gives access to theinterior of the casing for the removal of carriers discharged from theterminal 5 and for the insertion of carriers into the terminal 7. Ahinged door lonormally closes the doorway.

, Overlying the bottom 2 of the casing l is a flat carrier supportingplate or -platform 11. The

to almost the front of the casing. 'Its width is nearly equal to that ofthe interior of the casing and, at one of its front corners, it is cutaway to clear the terminal 7. A yieldable support 14 locatednear theforward end-of the platformnor mally holdsit horizontal or substantiallyso. Said 1 support comprises a threaded plug 15 which is screwed into athreaded aperture in the bottom of the casing and is formed at its upperend with a wrench-engaging head 16. A plunger pin l'l is fitted to slidevertically within a; bore in said plug and is normally projectedupwardly by a spring 18 disposed'in the lower end of the bore. At itsupper end the pin engages'the under side of the platform to yieldablysupport it. By turning the plug 15 the y'iedable support may bevertically adjusted. A check nut 19 is threaded upon the plug to bearagainst the bottom of Y the casing and maintain the adjustments. 7 1

Beneath the platform 10 and just to the rear of terminal 7 is anelectric switch 20. 'Switch 20 comprises a pair of spring contactfingers 21 and 22 supported upon the bottom of the casing by aninsulation block 23 and normally outofcontact with each other. 'Iheswitch forms part of a circuit for a signal lamp 24 mounted upon abracket 25 at the frontof the casing. Upon the 2 under side of theplatform is an insulation block 26 which, when the platform is depressedby the weight of one or more carriers thereon, engages the upper contactfinger 21 and forces it into en-f gagement with the lower finger 22 toclose the lamp circuit. The yieldable support 14 permits the depressionof the platform and elevates it to normal position when the weight isremoved. The

switch then automatically opens the lamp circuit. I A switch 27 tocontrol the circuit of an electrically driven means, not shown, forcausing a forced flow of air through the tube system, is also mountedbeneath the platform. This switch comprises a pair of normally separatedspring fingers 28 and 29 supported at one end upon an insulation block30 mounted upon the bottom of the casing. A switch operating arm 31extends fore-and-aft along side the contact finger 29 and is pivoted atits rear end upon a bracket 32 mounted upon the casing bottom. This armis mounted to swing laterally and is provided at its forward end with anupwardly tapering cam nose 33 which projects transversely into terminal7 through a side slot in the latter. When a carrier is inserted into theterminal it engages the cam nose, forces the arm 31 outward and pressesan insulating block carried thereby against the switch finger 29 toclose the switch and thereby cause a flow of air through the system, topropel the carrier.

At one side of casing 1 is a sen-ding terminal comprising a tubularcasing 3% in the form of a substantially semi-circular loop, disposed ina fore-and-aft plane. A tube 35 is connected to the rear end of saidterminal loop, and a tube 36 is connected to the forward end thereof.Above the connection of the latter tube the casing 3% is formed with aforwardly and downwardly directed doorway 37 through which carriers areinserted for transmission through the tube 36. This doorway isconveniently disposed beside the doorway 9 and is normally closed by ahinged door 38.

At the front of the terminal head the casings 1 and 34.- are covered bya face plate; 39 which is removably secured to said casings by screws40.

' The plate is rectangular in front view and its lower portion isvertical and extends materially below the level of the bottom ofcasing 1. Its

upper portion recedes to follow the recession of the curved walls of theterminal casings. Along its upper and'side edges the plate'extendsforwardly to form a hood 39'. Within said hood the plate is formed withtwo apertures 41 and 42 which register with the doorways 11 and 3'?respectively of the terminal casings and are of a size and shape toprovide clearance for the doors 11 and 38 and their mountings, to bedescribed hereinafter. The lower vertical portion of the face platecarries a plurality of carrier supporting barrels 43 whichform a carriermagazine. They extend rearwardly from the plate and open forwardlythrough it. A cover 44 for the signal .larnp 24 is mounted upon thefront face of the.

plate 39. This cover comprises a plate which is removably fastened toplate 39 by screws 45 and centrally formed with an outwardly bulgedportion 46 which covers the lamp and is perforated to admit the lightthrough it. I

The casing l carries a flat frame 47 surrounding the doorway 9 andforming a seat or abutment for the door 10, thelatter having an innerfacing 48 of suitable soft material .to bear against the frame. -At itsinner side edge the door is hinged as at 49 by means of a pintle sleeveand pintle carried by the door, and a pair of pintle bearings carried byeasing 1. Near its opposite edge the 'door is provided with a rotatableknob 50 to which is fixed a latch 51. The latter is adapted to engage ina notched keeper 52 carried by the casing l and projecting forwardlythrough the aperture 41 in the face plate. Similarly, the terminalcasing 34 carries a flat doorway frame 53, pintle sleeves 54 at' theinner casing 59 within which is supported a switch 60.

This switch controls a circuit of the electrically driven means and whenclosed it causes a forced flow of air from tube 35 through the terminalcasing to the tube 36 for the propulsion of a carrier through thelatter. Switch 60 comprises two normally separated spring contactfingers 61 and 62. The pintle sleeve of door 38 is formed with a camface 63 which, when the door is opened for the insertion of a carrier,is adapted to force the contact finger 61 against finger 62 and closethe circuit.

My improved terminal head will operate satisfactorily under eitherpressure or vacuum in the tube system. Anincoming carrier is deliveredby the tube 6, through the constantly open terminal 5 and into thecasing 1 where it falls upon the platform 11. Its weight then depressesthe platform, closes the switch 20 and causes the signal lamp 24 to beilluminated, thereby indicating to an operator the presence of a carrierin the casing. Air which has propelled the carrier into the casing flowsthrough the latter and out through the constantly open terminal 'I. Thereceiving chamber formed by thecasing will accommodate-a number ofcarriers and, if desired, the yieidable platform support 14 may beadjusted to yield only whena' certain number of carriers are upon theplatform; Then, when the signal lamp illuminates the operator knows thatit is time to unload the casing by opening the door 10 and removing thecarriers. To prevent the delivery of a carrier across the'receivingchamber and out through the terminal '7 the door is provided with a stoprib 64 which, when the this obstruction is removed and the terminal isreadily accessible just within the doorway for the insertion of acarrier to be dispatched. In-

sertion, of the carrier closes the switch 2'? and starts a flow of airfrom the terminal 5 across the interior of the casing and into theterminal 7 for the propulsion of the carrier. By forming an airconnection between the discharge terminal and the sending terminaldirectly through the carrier receiving chamber I materially simplify theair circulation.

The complete terminal head forms a compact unit which is designed forconvenient mounting upon a desk or within a compartment of a desk. Themounting of the three terminals closely adjacent to each other isparticularly convenient. In some dispatch tube systems a station'mayhave no direct delivery connection with the central station and mustrely upon an intermediate station to relay carriers to it. Such a systemis diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 9. Carriers arriving in casing 1at station S forrelay are inserted into the terminal 7 therein anddispatched through the tube 8 to the station S. The latter is connectedto the central station C through the tube 35, the terminal casing 34 andthe tube 36, but has no connection for receiving carriers directly fromthe central station. The

not intended for relay are removed. from the casing 1, while carriersare dispatched directly to the central station from station S by.insert-' ing them into casing34. The terminal head may, however, be usedin other systems with different tube connections. The terminal 7"forexample may be directly connected to the central station insteadof tothe outlying stations.

While I have shown and described .avery 'satis factory form of myinvention I1do not wish to be limited strictly to this disclosure butreserve the right to make-such changes as will lie within the scope ofthe claims. 1

What I claim is: i 1. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a imitaivterminal' device comprising a casing form ing a -ohamber to receive anumber of carriers; a dispatch tube discharge terminal opening into saidchamber for the delivery of carriers to the chamber; a dispatch tubesending terminal opening into the chamber; a support for the deliveredcarriers within the casing adapted to be depressed by the weight of thecarriers; signal means adapted to be operated by depression of saidsupport to indicate the presence of carriers in the casing; electriccircuit-closing means adapted tobe operated by the insertion of acarrier into said sending terminal to close a circuit for causing aforced circulation of air through the apparatus, the said terminalsbeing constantly open 1 within said chamber and the carrier receiving'spaceof the chamber forming a passage for the direct fiow of airfromthe discharge terminal to the sending terminal; a door giving accessto the chamber and closing a doorway through which carriers may bepassed; and an additional sending terminal connected to the casing.

2. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a unitary terminal devicecomprising a casing form ing a carrier receiving chamber; a dispatchtube discharge terminal opening into said chamber for the delivery ofcarriers thereto; a dispatchtube sending terminal opening into'thechamber, the

chamber forming a passage for a how of air from said discharge terminalto the sending terminal for the propulsion of a carrier inserted intothe latter; and an additional sending terminal'attached to the casing.

3. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatuaa unitary terminal devicecomprising a dispatch tube discharge terminal having a dispatch tubeconnection with a central station; a dispatch tube sending terminalhaving a dispatch tube connection with an outlying station; and a easinginto which both of said terminals open forming.

a passage for the flow of air between said terminals for thetransmissionof carriers received in the apparatus, said casing having adoor giving access to the interior: of the casing and closing a doorwaythrough which carriers may be passed;- and a sending terminal attachedto said casing-,- having an entrance closely adjacent to said casingdoor for: the insertion of carriers i and havingdispatchtubeiconnections with the'sendingterminal of said outlying station andthe discharge terminal of the central station.

4. In a pneumatic dispatch; tube apparatusfa terminal device comprisinga casing forming a carrierreceiving chamber; a dispatch tube discharge.terminal havin a dispatchtube connection with a central station andopening into said chamber forthe delivery of carriers thereto, from thecentral station; a dispatch tube sending tere: minal openings-into thechamber and having. a dispatch tube relay connection with an outlyingstation for transmitting carriers to said outlying station, the chamberforming a passage for a'fiow of air from said discharge terminal to thesending terminal; and a second sending terminal mounted closelyadjacentto said casing and having a dispatch tube connection with:the sendingterminal of said outlying station and a dispatch tube connection withthe discharge terminal of the central station.

5. Ina pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a casing forming a carrierreceiving chamber; a dispatch tube discharge terminal opening into saidchamber for the delivery of carriers to the chamber; a platform mountedwithin the chamber to support the delivered carriers and depressible bythe weight of, the carriers thereomna yieldable supportfor the platformto normally hold it elevated and yieldably resist depression thereof;and means rendering said platform support vertically adjustable. I g

6. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a casing forming a carrierreceiving chamber; a dispatch tube discharge terminal opening into saidchamber for the delivery of carriers to the chamber; a dispatch tubesending terminal opening into the chamber; adoor giving access to thechamber and closing a doorway thr'ough which carriers maybe passed;second sending terminal disposed adjacent said casing; a door to giveaccess to said'latter terminal disposed closely adjacent to said door ofthe casing; a front structure framing said two doors; and a plurality ofcarrier holders carried by said frontjframing structure. 'Z. A pneumaticdispatch tube terminal device comprising a casing forming a carrierreceiving chamber; a dispatch tube discharge terminal opening into saidchamber for the delivery of carsending terminaldisposed adjacent saidchamber and having an entrance located closely adjacent to said door ofthe casing; and a front structure framing said door and said terminalentrance.

8. A pneumatic dispatch'tube terminal device comprising a unit formedfor fitting into a forwardly opening compartment of a desk orsimilararticle of furniture and comprising a casing forming a carrierreceiving chamber; a dispatch tube discharge terminal. opening into saidchamber for the delivery of carriers into the chamber, the casing havinga forwardly directed entraQnceaffording access to the chamber for theremoval of carriers therefrom; a sending terminal disposed adjacent saidchamber and having a forwardly directed entrance located closelyadjacent to said casing entrance; and a front structure framing said twoentrances and formed toclose niture compartment.

QFA pneumatic dispatchtube terminal devicev comprising a casing forminga carrier receiving chamber; a dispatch tube discharge, terminal openinginto said chamber for the delivery of carriers thereto; a .dispatchtubesending terminal.

the furtube discharge terminal opening into said chamber for thedelivery of carriers thereto; a dispatch tube sending terminal openinginto the casing, the casing having an entrance at its front facingforward and upward and affording access to the chamber and through whichcarriers may be passed; another sending terminal disposed adiacent thefirst and. having a forwardly and upwardly directed entrance adjacentsaid casing entrance; rearwardly inclined doors closing said entrances;and a front structure formedto close the front of the furniturecompartment and having a rearwardly inclined front wall portion framingsaid doors and a forwardly opening cowl portion extending forward overthe doors.

11. A pneumatic dispatch tube terminal device comprising a unit formedfor fitting into a forwardly opening compartment of a desk or similararticle of furniture and comprising a dispatch tube sending terminal fordisposal in said compartment and having a forwardly and upwardlydirected entrance; a rearwardly inclined door for said entrance; and afront structure formed to close said compartment and having a rearwardlyinclined front wall portion framing said door, and a forwardly openingcowl portion extending forward over the door.

'12. A pneumatic dispatch tube terminal device comprising a unit formedfor fitting into a forwardly opening compartment of a desk or similararticle of furniture and comprising a dispatch tube sending terminal fordisposal in said cornpartment and having a forwardly and upwardlydirected entrance; a rearwardly inclined door for said entrance; and afront structure formed to close said compartment and having a rearwardlyinclined front wall portion framing said door, a forwardly opening cowlportion extending forward over the door, and a front wall portiondepending below the door; and a plurality of forwardly opening, tubularcarrier holders carried by I said depending wall portion and extendingrearward therefrom.

13. A pneumatic dispatch tube terminal device comprising a casingforming a carrier receiving chamber; a dispatch tube discharge terminalopening into said chamber for the delivery of carriers thereto; mountedwithin the chamber to receive the delivered carriers thereon; a signalcircuit-closing means operable by depression of the platform under theweight of the carri rs for operating a signal; a dispatch tube sendingterminal opening upward into the chamber and extending above the bottomthereof; electric air control circuit closing means, comprising a pairof normally separated contact members mounted between the bottom wall ofsaid chamber and the platform and covered by the latter, one of saidcontact members being laterally shiftable toward and from the other andhaving a cam nose projecting laterally into the sending terminal throughan aperture in the side of the terminal and engageable by an insertedcarrier for closing a circuit to start I a flow of carrier propellingair through the terminal, the contact members and their connectionsbeing accessible by raising the hinged platform.

14. A pneumatic dispatch tube terminal device comprising a unit forfitting into a forwardly opening compartment of a desk or similararticle of furniture and including a casing forming a carrier receivingchamber; a dispatch tube dis-.

charge terminal opening into said chamber for delivery of carriers intothe chamber; a dispatch a hinged, depressible platform' tube sendingterminal opening into the casing, the casing having an entrance at itsfront facing forwardand affording access to the interior of the casingand formed to permit carriers to be passed through it; another sendingterminal disposed adjacent the first sendingterminal and having aforwardly facing entrance; and a front structure framing said twoentrances and formed to close the front of the furniture compartment.

15. A pneumatic dispatch tube terminal device comprising a casingforming a carrier receiving chamber; a dispatch tube discharge terminalopening into said chamber to deliver carriers into the chamber; asubstantially U-shaped dispatch tube loop connected'to said casing andhaving a connection for an incomingdispatch tube at one end, aconnection at its other end for an outgoing dispatch tube and an openingat an intermediate point in the loop for insertion of carriers fortransmission through said outgoing tube.

16. A pneumatic dispatch tube terminal device comprising a casingforming a carrier receiving chamber and having an arched top; a dispatchtube discharge terminal opening into said chamber to deliver carriersinto it; a dispatch tube loop disposed alongside said casing, of'approximately inverted U form and having a. curvature conformingapproximately to the arch of the casing top, said loop having aconnection at one end for'a'n incoming dispatch tube, a connection atits opposite end for an outgoing dispatch tube and an opening at anintermediate point for insertion of carriers for transmission throughsaid outgoing tube. V

17. A pneumatic dispatch tube terminal device for fitting into aforwardly opening compartment of a desk or similar article of furnitureand including a casing forming a carrier receiving chamber; a dispatchtube discharge terminal opening into said chamber for delivery ofcarriers into the chamber; a dispatch tube sending terminal opening intothe casing, thecasing having an entrance opening at its'front facingforward and affording access to the interior of the casing and formed topermit carriers to be passed through it; an approximately U -shapeddispatch tube loop disposed alongside said casing and con nected theretoand having, a connection at one end for anincoming dispatch tube, aconnection at its opposite end for an outgoing dispatch tube and aforwardly facing entrance opening at an intermediate point in theloopfor insertion of carriers for transmission through the said outgoingtube; and a front wall structure framing said entrance openings of thecasing and loop and formed to close the front of the furniturecompartment.

able by insertion of a carrier into said sending terminal to close acircuit to startv a carrierpropelling flow of air through thesendingtermi-,

nal, the platform being upwardly shiftable to afford access to said twocircuit-closing means.

19. A pneumatic dispatch tube terminal device comprising a carrierreceptacle; a dispatch tube discharge terminal directed into saidreceptacle for delivery of carriers thereto; a depressibly mountedplatform disposed Within the receptacle to receive and support thedelivered carriers thereon; and signal circuit-closing means beneath theplatform and operable by depression of the platform under the carrierweight to close a signal circuit, said platform being shiftable upwardto afford access to said circuit-closing means.

